This week has nothing but winners on Raw Talk!

After another big Monday night, Raw Talk has the big winners! Natalya, Tamina, Jaxson Ryker and of course, the Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre!

Kevin Patrick welcomes us back to the show!

Things were absolutely frantic as Money in the Bank draws closer. Kevin and his old pal, R-Truth, are here, and Truth says he almost had it. He almost had the title back but Tozawa…! Where was Kevin? Kevin helped Truth lose the 24/7 title, but where was he to help win it? Kevin admits he had to turn his phone off, he kept getting tweets about it. When it mattered most, Kevin wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Truth says those people are right. But let’s just move on to the show. Kevin says he’ll do better to be there for Truth, but the footage replays as Gulak pins Tozawa, Truth hits Gulak, but then Tozawa pins Truth. If someone just warned Truth or distracted Tozawa.

Was Kevin in catering? Yeah, white chocolate coated macadamia nuts. Well Kevin was having fun but Tozawa got Truth! Tozawa acting like this is all about him but it ain’t! Tozawa plays nice but he’s getting on Truth’s bad side. Kevin says he can’t go out there and fight someone. Well, maybe he’ll try for Truth’s sake. Apologies again. Truth asks Kevin his name, and Kevin says, “Kevin Patrick, K-Peezy.” Truth wants energy from Kevin. Stop saying you can’t when you can. That’s a good line. Let’s move forward as a team! They’re back!

Moving on, Matt Riddle managed to get himself put into the battle royal at the start of Raw as a proxy for Randy Orton. Randy Orton wasn’t here, so Riddle stepped up. Riddle won the battle royal, Priest takes the Final Flash, and Riddle dedicated the win to Orton. Things aren’t really reciprocated by Randy, though, huh? Truth hasn’t really studied Orton’s emotions behind this, but Truth is happy his dawg, Riddle, did this. Also, Kofi Kingston confronted MVP after last week with Bobby Lashley and Xavier Woods. Poor Xavier, Kofi couldn’t help him. But breaking news from Raw Talk, Kofi said Woods is back next week, and Woods will be back in a non-Hell in a Cell rematch with Bobby Lashley!

Truth likes the replay of Kofi knocking MVP out with the Trouble in Paradise. That’s the quietest we’ve seen MVP in a long time. Another big win was Nikki Cross over Shayna Baszler, with Alexa Bliss making an appearance. Kevin is pretty sure Truth called Alexa “a whack job,” but Truth denies it up and down. He doesn’t call Lexi whacked out, that’s what others say. “Creepy Lexi” was Kevin’s thing. But Nikki “Almost a Super Hero” Cross, what energy and enthusiasm! The intensity! Truth is a fan of Nikki, too. But we’ve got some phenomenal guests, but no AJ Styles, actually. It’ll be Drew McIntyre, Truth’s other dawg, as well as Jaxson Ryker, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! Stick around, the first guests are up after the break!

Jaxson Ryker joins Raw Talk!

After replaying footage of Truth talking with Ryker, he hands over the strap, as discussed. Wow, real leather right there. That was popping off Ryker, but it was popping off more on Elias. That was, how did Truth put it? The lasso-toey? Lassoey. Well Truth is more than welcomed to use it now. Really? Alright, but Truth will make sure to bring it back. Truth appreciates this. This will help get Truth’s baby back. More than Kevin’s done for Truth! Well c’mon, now! Truth was within a second of catching Tozawa, he stopped to talk with Ryker. By the way, welcome, Ryker, and congratulations on your win. But is Truth not going to blame Ryker?

No, Mr. Jaxson just gave Truth something he can use. Well don’t use it on Kevin. Truth says this is the guy to talk to right here. Kevin asks Ryker about what happened with Elias. They were in synch, walking with Elias, what happened? Ryker agrees, they were walking together. Then there’s the tag match where Ryker goes for a tag, an opportunity to win the tag titles, but Elias leaves and then says Ryker is unhinged. Elias says Ryker never really wanted to walk with Elias. What does that do? It causes Elias to go unhinged, start digging up Ryker’s past and asks Ryker if he’s ever really been to war. The fact is, Elias doesn’t know what it is to go to battle.

Ryker won’t take away from what Elias has done. Elias has great talent, is a great fighter, and he gave it his all. But like Ryker told everyone a week ago, when they were bound, there was no running, hiding, or leaving Ryker ringside. There was just a fight. Yes, but the break-up has clearly affected Ryker. How is he doing? Ryker says he’s good, actually. Wow, really? Do they think he’s not? No, not at all. If Ryker’s good, even after being as tight as he was with Elias, “y’all was dawgs, man!” Ryker feels no remorse for what he did to Elias because Elias deserved it all. Elias was the one who turned on Ryker.

Ryker learned in the Marine Corps is that you stick close to those you trust. Ryker cannot and will not trust Elias anymore. Where do you stand? Ryker stands alone. Maybe he needs that. Maybe Elias held Ryker back. Time to move on and do what he is destined to do. Truth likes that. Trust is everything. You trust the man sitting by your side in battle. Kevin asks what Elias is to Ryker now: an enemy, a foe, a man he doesn’t trust. Respect, maybe. Elias has always done his own thing and always been tough, you can’t take that from him. But he can’t even get through his song.

So what’s next for Ryker? Ryker’s proven that Elias is the beginning of Ryker’s ascent to the top. Ryker has goals here in the WWE. And looking back, he is thankful Elias didn’t tag him in that night because it opened his eyes. Ryker can do this on his own. He doesn’t need Elias, never have and never will. So what’s next for Jaxson Ryker? Championships. Oh, then he might need his strap back. No, no, Truth can hold onto that, it’s his lassoey. Kevin thanks Ryker for his time, and is pretty sure Elias lit a fire inside Ryker. Truth will be rooting Ryker on. But speaking of championships, WWE Women’s Tag champs are up next!

Natalya & Tamina join Raw Talk!

First of all, Natty wants to give Truth a proper introduction. They do their own secret handshake which involves cheek kisses and cat paws. Truth’s the best. Does Truth have something like that with Tamina? Tamina moves over but then leaves Truth hanging as she says, “Anyway…” Tamina says, “How you doing, Kiki?” Oh, Kiki, huh? Kevin kinda likes that more than K-Peezy. But tonight, a great win alongside Charlotte Flair. They took on Rhea, Mandy & Dana. Mandy & Dana disrespected the champs, what is that relationship like? Because Mandy & Dana have a title shot coming down the road, right?

Yes, and these two are happy that Mandy & Dana finally decided to step up and care about wrestling. Mandy & Dana cheap shot’d the champs, Tamina was especially mad. Truth accidentally talks over Tamina and she gets upset, she lost her train of thought. Truth just says Tamina always seems mad, then he does a Matt Riddle and zips his lip. Tamina says she’s not always mad. It’s just that there are disrespectful people, like Mandy & Dana. That is the problem here: disrespect. Truth should learn to be careful, too. Natty says Mandy & Dana got their cheap shots in, but that was something Natty loved! It means Mandy & Dana care about this now!

They’ve said it before, they’ll say it again: Statement makers; bone breakers; title takers. They’re champions! The gold is more than just bling or a championship! These are passports to every single corner of the WWE, and they want everyone to step up. Finally, someone decided to do so! Sounds like there is respect on their part, then. Just a little. Truth says “a tad.” But this isn’t just Mandy & Dana, it’s everyone else. The eyes of the competitors have changed since these two became champions. Natty’s also said before, gold cures everything. Asuka looks at Natty different, Nikki Cross looks at her different, Mandy, Dana, Nia, Shayna, every other woman in the WWE wants this.

Is there a team these two are desperate to take on? Desperate isn’t the word, Natty is happy the others want these. Natty & Tamina want them to step up! Asuka and Nikki can team up and bring it. Current NXT Women’s Champions, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, can come bring it! They want to go to NXT! If Bayley can go find someone and stop feeling sorry for herself to step up. Truth likes this energy! Kevin asks how these titles have changed Natty & Tamina. They realized how strong they are. They thought about what they’ve been through together, but they have learned so much about themselves, and about fighting back and building respect and standing up for what they believe in! Doormats get walked on, and they will not let that happen!

Truth likes that. He doesn’t want them being walked on, either. Natty says Kevin’s kinda like Katie Couric. Anymore questions? No, he just enjoys their company. Natty and Truth say good-bye with the same secret “handshake,” which Tamina doesn’t really get. Tamina signals fist bump to Kiki, though. She heads out first, Natty says she’ll go keep up with her. And after the break, the Scottish Warrior will be here!

Drew McIntyre joins Raw Talk!

He graces us with his presence and Truth is excited. McIntyre is a man of his word, did what he promised, and how did he get it done? Well McIntyre said a lot of things, but the point of it was that he’d fight his way back into the Men’s MITB, and that’s what he did. He did mess with Kevin a bit with that long story, but the job is done and McIntyre will let them know a bit more. To be honest, McIntyre is still beat up from HIAC, and from last week’s 1v1 with Riddle. Mentally or physically? Both! McIntyre’s last year, let alone last week, he’s been very consistent. Roughly 14 PPV’s in a row, one way or another over the WWE World Champion for 18 months, wrestling a high level match every week on Raw.

It’s non-stop, and he’s proud of every opportunity, but this was the first time he’s heard that it’s okay to let his foot off the gas. Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce said that, social media said that, people pointed out that sometimes some superstars take some time away from TV, have some “Me time” and all that. That’s not how McIntyre does this. This place is a constant for him. Like him or hate him, he doesn’t care. He’s here to win titles, set examples, and now he’s going to win MITB and win the title again. Kevin agrees with all that, as does Truth, and it means a lot for McIntyre to stick around and do this show, too.

MITB already looks incredible with who is already in, and the briefcase is so valuable. The holder could go anywhere with it over the course of a year. McIntyre knows that. Here’s the thing: there is a lot of quality in that match already. The past 14 months, top of the mountain, this could be his last chance to reach the top of the mountain on any brand. McIntyre says he has to win. Is this the biggest hill yet? Even after all he’s been through? This may not be WrestleMania but after everything McIntyre’s been through recently-

Well, not just recently. McIntyre says it’s been like this forever for him. It’s all the work he’s put in to reach the top. Especially in tonight’s Triple Threat, winning to be a representative, and all the time, in the back of his mind, McIntyre just thought about getting to the live fans to hold up the title, and then it was taken from him at the last second. It’s been a love-hate relationship with MITB. He hates it in one way because not too long ago, it gifted the title right to The Miz, who then gifted it right to Lashley. But at the same time, it might be McIntyre’s last chance at the top of the mountain. McIntyre vows to find a way to win because he has to. He’s going against the best in the entire world, will get the job done, because he has to.

Kevin says McIntyre’s stood tall during the entire pandemic wrestling era. He’s been an absolute monster throughout it all, in a good way, yet he is back in front of adoring fans on July 18th. Is he looking forward to that? He can’t wait. McIntyre really can’t. They’re saying it a lot in the WWE but it’s true, the WWE lost the fans, the WWE Universe. For the number one superstar in such an interactive industry, it’s hard. You watch other sports, from baseball to American football to basketball to soccer/football, the crowd might make a difference, but it is so much more so in wrestling. The fans are part of the show, they might as well be on a roster page.

Yes, WWE adapted to the situation to make the best possible product so that fans still have an escape, but McIntyre can’t wait to get back to normal. He can’t wait to have fans in the building, cheering, booing, whatever, so long as they bring passion. That is what McIntyre is dying to have back. Truth likes McIntyre is still fired up. McIntyre feels it, too. He’s been here quite a few times already, he feels like another cohost. Truth and Kevin says McIntyre gave it his all, so no more questions. McIntyre has one: Who will win the Euros? Kevin’s siding with Cesaro on this one and saying Switzerland. Cesaro will celebrate big time, too, so Kevin looks forward to that.

Who did McIntyre pick after Scotland fell out? Sorry to bring that up. Well it’s France, so McIntyre’s choosing Switzerland, too! Truth goes with them, but Kevin says he doesn’t have a Scooby-Doo clue what’s going on. McIntyre asks MITB ladder match predictions, and Kevin of course says McIntyre. Good one, Drew, you got him with that one. McIntyre says one of these days, he’s taking Kevin’s spot on this show. Just kidding! Kevin says someone can order him a taxi, then. But that’s all for McIntyre and the show! McIntyre and Truth shake hands before McIntyre heads out, and Truth gives the “lassoey” a whirl. Careful, Truth! Kevin signs off for Raw Talk and hopes to see us again next week.

My Thoughts:

A very fun episode, and I like Truth was a little salty with Kevin over the 24/7 title stuff. I really hope for MITB to be a moment where Kevin does get involved and then he ends up winning the title in a strange “betrayal” of Truth’s trust. Ryker had a good segment, and I like that they kept continuity between this and Raw. I hope Truth also gets to use that strap in the 24/7 title chase, that’d be amazing stuff. Natty & Tamina had a good segment, I like the interactions with Truth, and it seems Natty is just fine being the talker of the two, and Tamina seems fine with that, too.

I do like that they named The Way, Candice & Indi. If it weren’t for how awful Vince runs the RawDown Women’s Divisions, the WWE Women’s Tag titles would be going to NXT, but NXT having their own titles works best for NXT. If anything, WWE Women’s and NXT Women’s tag titles work the way there are Raw, SmackDown and NXT men’s tag titles. Maybe Survivor Series will see RawDown VS NXT, Natty & Tamina VS The Way. McIntyre also had a good segment to put things in perspective for his character.

And as I’d said during his year long reign, it was about trying to get that moment in front of fans, but things just didn’t work out. Whether or not management cares about fans, the wrestlers care about fans, even in the WWE, and that definitely goes for someone who worked as hard as McIntyre to make it back and make it to the top.